Washing-machine



(No Model.)

M. R. POTTORFF.

WASHING MACHINE.

I Patented May 20, 1884.

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MATTHEIV R. POTTORFF, OF GILMAN, ILLINOIS.

WASHING MACHENE.

ESPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,775, dated May 20, 1884:,

Application filed August 13, 1883. (No model.) 1

T0 wZ whom it 17mg concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTHEW It. Por'ronun, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gil-' man, in the county of Iroquois and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful IVashing-Machine, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to that class of washing-machines in which the bed is stationary and the rubber movable; and the improvements consist in the construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectional View of. my improved machine. Fig. 2 represents a perspective View of the rubber, and Fig. 3 represents a perspective View of the false or detachable bottom.

In the annexed drawings, A represents a semi-cylindrical box or body of a washing-machine, provided with legs B B, secured at an angle to the same, and projecting upwardly from the sides and top and midway of the body A are two grooved bearings, O G, for a purpose hereinafter to be referred to.

D is a false bottom, also semi-cylindrical in form, composed of one or more metallic curved strips, (1, attached to two end pieces, E, which fit or rest snugly upon the ends of the box or body A, inside thereof. At right angles to these metallic strips (1, and secured to the same, are a multiplicity of slats or ribs, 1*, so arranged as to present the form of the letter V alternately from each side of the false bottom D. These slats F are secured to the metallic strips d by means of screws, so as to enable them to be removed or attached at pleasure.

G is a rubber, made of metal, wood, or any suitable material, of semicircular form, underneath of the bottom of which are secured, in a similar manner as those upon the false bottom, a multiplicity of slats, 9, corresponding to and arranged similar to those heretofore described upon the false bottom, and which come in contact with the clothes which are placed between them and the slats upon the false bottom, the smaller or pointed ends of the V- shaped slats upon the rubber covering the open spaces of the \I-shaped slats upon the false bottom, so that the clothes come in contact at every point with the slats upon the false bottom and upon the rubber. This rubber is provided with two cross-pieces, H H, extending from end to end of the rubber, and soldered or otherwise secured midway of said crosspieces is a bail or handle, I, the lower ends of which are turned at right angles to the same, which serve as journals to fit within the grooves in the bearings G 0, whereby the rubber is rocked to and fro when in the act of washing clothes.

The body or box A, heretofore referred to, is provided at one end, on the inside thereof, with a small block or ledge, J, secured fast thereto, and upon which rests loosely one end of the false bottom D, so as to be capable of removal and replacement within the body A, as occasion may require. At the other end of the box or body A is a thumb-screw or button, K, having on the end of the stem or elongated portion thereof, which extends down through a perforation in the end of the box, screwthreads K, over which a nut, L, is placed, which secures the th umb-screw K loosely with in theperforation in the end of the box, so that it can be turned therein as well as within a slot in the end of the false bottom D, to fasten down or release the false bottom when it is required to be taken out of the body of the machine for cleaning, &c.

The operation of my machine is as follows: The false bottom is placed within the body or box, with one end resting under the block or ledge and the other end fastened down by means of the thumb'serew, which holds the false bottom therein, and within this false bottom is located or fitted the rubber, the slats of which correspond in form with those on the false bottom, and between said slats, after sufficient water has been poured in the machine, are placed the clothes to be Washed. All that is necessary for the operator to do is to take hold of the handle and rock the rubber back and fort-h, when, by means of the friction produced upon the clothes by the slats upon the false bottom and rubber, the clothes are thoroughly and quickly washed without the least inconvenience to the operator.

My machine is simple in its construction, not easily gotten out of order, durable, and cheaply manufactured.

I wish to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction and arrangel ment of the parts, as said parts maybe varied Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

' 1. In a washing-machine, the body A, having each end extended, as shown, and provided with a block or ledge, secured to one of its. ends, in combination with a false bottom, D, having end pieces, E, at right angles thereto, and resting on the extended ends of the body, one of said end pieces fitting under the block or ledge, and the other end piece being slotted, as shown, and a thumb-screw and nut engaging with the slot of said end piece, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The false bottom having 'end pieces nearly at right angles thereto, seniicircularmetallic strips (2, connecting the end pieces, and arranged longitudinally, and detachable slats or ribs secured to the strips with their ends adjacent to each other, and forming the letter V alternately from one side to the other, in connbination with the boX or body A, having ledge J, and a thumbscrew, bolt, and nut, as set forth.

In testimony that I claini the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, MATTHEWV R. POTTORFF.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL GREEN,

GEORGE H. POTTER. 

